A Quick Guide To Men’s Winter Hats

We know from experience (and who man doesn’t?) that at times hats can be troubling, especially those bulky winter hats. And we all feel torn, as we know that we should not give comfort for style, but sometime some hats look just awful.

This is why we have put together a quick and short, but quite compelling guide to winter headgear. Men’s winter hats should be, in our opinion, at the same time functional and stylish and to go in tandem with the way you live and with your needs.

How to choose a hat

First of all, it’s really important to know how to pick the right hat for you. Of course, the style is up to you, but here are the things we think you should consider when you are grabbing a cap from the store shelf:

1) Your lifestyle. It’s crucial to pick a hat that fits the way you live. Do you spend a lot of time outdoors, are are you just a guy who goes from one building to another and then to a car? Also, if you have a divided lifestyle, for example if you stay more inside during the week and go out a lot during the week-end, you might want to consider getting two pieces of headgear, or three, or… as many as you need.

2) Your wardrobe. Taking the rest of your wardrobe in consideration when you are wearing a hat is crucial. You should look at the fabrics, colors and textures you have in your wardrobe (especially at your jackets, coats, pants and shoes, since these are the other items that are usually visible when you are wearing a hat) and go from there. For example, if you own a lot of colorful clothes, does a colorful hat fit into the scheme? On the other hand, if you have only sporty clothes, will a rather formal hat fit with the rest of your wardrobe? Look at what you already own and try to keep the line.

3 The weather. The weather in which you live is crucial. Think of what you need to protect your head from: wind, water, snow? Does it get cold only in the evening or is a winter hat something you might need to wear only on occasion. Answering those questions will take you a step further into making the right choice from the wide selection of styles stores have to offer.

How to wear winter headgear

We don’t have tips on how to actually place it on your head, as in that field, it’s each to his own, but we do have  a few guidelines on the symbolic nature of the hat’s design:

• Hats that will cover your ears are usually less formal than those that leave them bare. This rule will be the first one we allow you to throw out the window if it’s freezing cold!
• In terms of fabrics, thick, woven materials are considered informal, while thin, stiff, felted hats are seen as rather formal.
• Fedoras and similar hats are, of course, more formal than beanies and sports caps.
• Fringes, pom-poms and other such accessories are a sign of a non-formal look. They don’t give you a very serious look and indicate a lot of playful energy.

The types of men’s winter hats

There are a lot of styles of hats out there and you should choose the right one for you. Here are some pieces you might consider:

Peruvian hats are very functional, as they cover your ears and protect your head well. They are perfect for those who enjoy patterns and colorful designs and usually have a lot of embellishments to them that make them really special and unique.
Beanie hats are probably one of the most popular types of hats out there. They can be longer or shorter and come in all shapes and sizes: they come in very bright colors, perfect for someone who goes skiing during the winter, or they come in neutral colors that go well with a darker coat. Beanie hats cover your head well and usually don’t distract other people from the rest of your outfit.
Aviator hats are one of our favorite styles. They can be buttoned or left loose and sometimes you can even attach the sides that are covering your ears to the upper part, so that you transform the hat completely. Being so versatile, they are perfect for someone who changes a lot of environments and clothes and who wishes to always look his best. What’s great about these hats is also the fact that they come in so many variations, that there’s one for anybody.
Dress felt hats are the staple of an urban gentleman. They are usually more appropriate for more mature men, but they are always formal and go wonderful with a formal winter jacket. These hats are all about elegance and fit a man who likes to turn heads and go right into the next building or car.
Astrakhan caps are great because they keep you warm, but their design is very culturally charged. Even though these hats might have been a style statement 25 years ago, today they will remind everyone else of an Eastern ruler. If you can rock such a hat, we’d love to see it!

Even though they are not hats, earmuffs and headbands also fall into the category of winter headgear. They can sometimes be the best choice and the best answer to your style questions. Small, neutral and comfortable, they can be the thing you need.

Of course, there a lot of other types of hats and headgear you can consider: Russian military hats, newsboy hats made out of a warmer fabrics or other variations of the ones we presented here. We encourage you to pick your own style and to make up your own rules!

And also, by the way, the fact that you loose 70% (or 80 according to some) of your heat through your head is a myth. If this was true, we could all probably go around in the winter time dressed up only in summer clothes and with a very very very warm hat on.

Fraquoh and Franchomme

P.S. What kind of headgear do you prefer? What factors do you take into consideration when you buy a winter hat? How does the rest of your wardrobe influence the hats you wear? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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